Federalist Public House

Dining News: Vampire Penguin Natomas Sets Opening Date

Vampire Penguin, the fast growing shaved snow and desserts eatery, is scheduled to open its new Natomas location on Feb. 20.

The Natomas location will be the seventh outpost, with locations serving South Sacramento, Downtown Sac, Elk Grove, Berkeley, San Mateo and Reno.

Vampire Penguin also briefly had a store in Davis, but it closed after less than a year.

The restaurant's main attraction its unbelieveably light shaved snow. Much like a Cold Stone, diners can chose their own flavor combinations or choose from specials curated by the staff.

Previously, they had tweeted that they planned to soft open on Feb. 13, but that tweet has been deleted. However, if you're in the area, you might want to check in and see if they're ready a couple days before their official opening.

When it opens, Vampire Penguin Natomas will be located at 3620 North Freeway Blvd (near the Buffalo Wild Wings and Buch Hut Deli) and can be found online at http://www.vampirepenguin.com/.

More News:

The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs - This desserterie with locations in Fair Oaks and Roseville, best known for its melt-in-your-mouth ice cream “puffs,” began serving milkshakes on Friday, Jan. 15. Tori Masucci Cummins and Anna Petkovich in Sactown Mag. (Fourth Item.)

Quick Bites in the Capital Region: 5 hotspots for fast-casual dining - Sacramento is teeming with local restaurants and semi-local chains that aim for value and efficiency. Here are some of our favorites, featuring Thai Canteen,  Buckhorn Grill, Krush Burger, Tako Korean BBQ and Duc Huong Sandwiches. Tyler Forvé in Comstocks Mag.

Meet the folks behind V. Miller Meats - Shank, shoulder, sirloin, riblets and legs. Sausages, porterhouse, spare ribs, tenderloin, chuck, patties and skirt steak. What do these have in common? They describe the by-products of whole animal butchery. Eric Miller and Matt Azevedo of V. Miller Meats recently opened their specialty whole animal butcher shop in East Sacramento. One of only about thirty across the United States, the pair believe that Sacramento is an excellent location because of the rapidly expanding specialty eateries, farmers markets, local farms and culinary shops in the Sacramento area. Corky Oakes in Valley Community News.

Icing on the Cupcake opens in Midtown, long live cupcakes! - Wait, aren’t cupcakes dead? Apparently not quite yet. Icing on the Cupcake opened a new Midtown outpost at (1730 J Street), taking over a chunk from the former Gifted Gardener space. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

Counter Culture: Exotic flavors, uncompromising heat at Indo Cafe in Old Sacramento - Jim is from south Texas and works the front of the house. Tessa is the cook who grew up in Tegal, a city in the Central Java Province of Indonesia, and came up in the family restaurant, learning Indonesian and Chinese cooking from her mother. The from-scratch dishes have a distinct homemade feel and are from family recipes. Jim and Tessa source many of their imported seasonings from local Asian and Mexican supermarkets, and many vegetarian dishes populate the menu. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Continue reading "Dining News: Vampire Penguin Natomas Sets Opening Date" »


Dining News: RIP Triple Double

Tripledouble

Well, that was fast.

Triple Double, a sports bar which opened in early October with hopes to benefit from its location near the new Golden 1 Center, has closed, Cowtown Eats has confirmed.

The restaurant had just opened earlier this month.

On Wednesday morning, Cowtown Eats spoke to Joseph Waltz, one of Triple Double's owners whom I interviewed in April, who confirmed that the restaurant had closed. He declined to elaborate further, citing a need to talk to his lawyer.

This is the latest odd occurrence with the restaurant. Just before it opened, the Sac Biz Journal's Sonya Sorich reported that two out of the four known partners had left the venture.

As of earlier this week, Triple Double's Web Site had been taken down. By Oct. 16, posts on Yelp started reporting the restaurant had closed.

The Sac Biz Journal's Sonya Sorich was the first person I saw reporting that the restaurant may be closed.

This story continues to develop, and I'm working to confirm a couple more items. I'll write more if I hear more. If you worked at the restaurant or had any knowledge how/why the closing happened, please email me at [email protected].

Triple Double was located at 419 J Street.

More News:

Go inside the minds of three Sacramento chefs - Find out during a special evening with three Sacramento chefs as they share their personal journeys and insights into their culinary creativity. “Inside the Creative Mind – Culinary Forum” is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St., Folsom...Sacramento Bee restaurant critic Carla Meyer will moderate a panel discussion featuring Kurt Spataro, executive chef and co-owner of the Paragary Restaurant Group, along with longtime professional chefs Randy Aprill and John Hall. Debbie Arrington in the Sac Bee.

Opening date set for new sushi-burrito restaurant concept - The local sushi-burrito empire is expanding for real. Wrap 'N Roll Sushi Burrito opened its new restaurant concept on Friday, according to a Facebook message from the business. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Cider & Slider Party at Revolution Wines on Oct. 24 - Aside from the many special nights on Revolution’s calendar, one particular event stands out above the rest: the Cider & Slider Party. Come taste their new hard cider offering and pair it up with some tantalizing pulled pork sliders delivered on house-made Hawaiian rolls courtesy of Chef Teddy. Eddie Jorgensen in Submerge Mag.

Sacramento chef Carina Lampkin to compete on Food Network's 'Cutthroat Kitchen' - Blackbird Kitchen + Beer Gallery executive chef Carina Lampkin will be featured on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen on Sunday, October 25 at 10 p.m. The episode is titled “Actions Speak Chowder Than Words,” which might mean that Lampkin got the chance to prepare her stellar seafood chowder on the show. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

First Impressions: Mexican fare meets Angus chuck at Rancho Cordova spot South Beach Grill - South Beach Grill opened in April, largely because “Carlos worked in (the Rancho Cordova) area for years and he thought there was the need for good-quality food,” Carolina Ocampo said. “You become part of a community after you spend so much time in it.” The restaurant is in the space formerly occupied by the well-known Ike’s Deli, which moved to a nearby location, got a new owner and was renamed Pocket Deli. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Continue reading "Dining News: RIP Triple Double" »


Dining News: Save $5 at Federalist, Hot Italian or Pizza Rock via Caviar This Month

Caviar2

It's National Pizza Month, and in honor of that, the food delivery app Caviar is trying to help you save a few bucks while enjoying a pie.

Order from local pizzerias Federalist, Hot Italian or Pizza Rock and save $5 off any purchase of $15 or more by using the code SACSLICE5.

I used the Caviar app for the first time on Friday evening and ordered a pizza from Hot Italian at about 6:33 p.m. and it arrived at my house at 7:12 p.m. The pizza was still piping hot, and I loved it. (I loved it even more since Hot Italian gave away free pizzas with the purchase of a pizza last week.)

IMG_2811

You can download the Caviar app at http://www.trycaviar.com/sacramento. (Disclosure: I get a few bucks in free Caviar credit if you click on that link.)

SlicedSeparately, Sacramento is in the midst of Sliced, where a loose confederation of pizza places have all decided to get together to offer pizza specials or host pizza events from Oct. 17 through Oct. 25. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have a good Web site or Facebook page that lists all their events so I can't do a thorough post on it.

There's a partial list on Facebook if you want to check that out. Here are also a couple media hits the organizers have received:

AUDIO: Restaurants like the Federalist Come Together to Celebrate the Best Pizza in Sacramento - A special week for the Sacramento food scene begins Saturday. "Sliced: A Celebration of All Things Pizza" is a week dedicated to celebrating the best pizza in Sacramento, with nightly specials, chef competitions, instructional courses and even a Sac Brew Bike tour. Marvin Maldonado and Liza Madigan from Federalist Public House in Midtown are here in the studio with us for our Friday Food segment. Kitty O'Neal on KFBK.

VIDEO: Pizza Week in Sacramento - Sliced Pizza Week is October 17-25 and Gary is out getting all of the details. Local pizzerias -- Federalist Public House & Beer Garden, Hot Italian, Masullo, Chicago Fire, Buffalo Pizza, Urbano and more -- will be celebrating and demonstrating their craft for all to enjoy. There will be nightly specials, chef competitions, instructional courses and one crazy bike tour with Sacbrewbike for the first 60 people who sign up. Details for the Pizza Crawl can be found at slicedpizzacrawl.eventbrite.com. Gary Gelfand on FOX 40.

Guide to Sliced - This is the first annual SLICED: A Celebration of All Things Pizza, so this week think not of present-day you. Think of future you. The you who’s going to have to explain to your future grandchildren why you don’t know what it was like during the first ever SLICED in Sacramento. Don’t do that to yourself. Don’t do that to posterity. Instead, help make history by hitting the open road in search of wood-fired, deep-dish, by the slice and thin-crust delights. Before you don your half-shell, though, pizza please peruse our extra cheesy guide. Cowabunga! Michelle Labi-Klonecke on City Scouts Mag.

VIDEO: Sacramento celebrates all things pizza - From October 17th – 25th, local pizzerias will be celebrating and demonstrating their craft for all to enjoy. From nightly specials, to chef competitions, instructional courses and even a bike pizza tour, featuring Ed Roehr of Magpie Cafe. On KCRA.

More News:

Sacramento Reverse Food Truck - Thanks to fan favorites like Drewski’s Hot Rod Kitchen and Bacon Mania, our waistlines are now intimately familiar with the concept of food trucks. But have you ever heard of a reverse food truck? Essentially, reverse food trucks collect quality food from local farmers markets and donate/deliver the food to local hunger relief organizations. Sacramento is now home to one, aptly named: Sacramento Reverse Food Truck. Laura Braden on Girls on the Grid.

Continue reading "Dining News: Save $5 at Federalist, Hot Italian or Pizza Rock via Caviar This Month" »


Dining News: 7x7's 'Modern Guide to Sacramento'

 

7x7

California's Austin, not The New Oakland.

That's how 7x7, a popular San Francisco's Web site that celebrates "trailblazing spirit and to maximize every moment in this magnificent place," describes Sacramento.

(FYI - The site's name is a reference to the roughly 49 square miles within San Francisco's borders.)

7x7 writer Garrick Ramirez is actually pretty spot on with his recommendations for those venturing from 90 miles down I-80.

Among his dining suggestions:

Preservation & Co: "Take home Sacramento-priced bottles of the shop's housemade sriracha, pickled beets, and the killer bloody mary mix that made them famous."

Ruhstaller: "The real joy comes from visiting their hop farm in nearby Dixon. Haybales, wooden spool tables, rustic shelters and sunset campfires lend a magical setting."

Coin-Op Game Room: "Old-school favorites like Roadblasters, Simpsons, and AC/DC pinball sport handy cup holders for the huge selection of craft beers."

Shady Lady Saloon: "Hidden inside a historic masonry building, this unpretentious cocktail bar plays up the city's Gold Rush past with bordello chic interiors."

Federalist Public House: "A lively crowd assembles for pizzas and pints at this modern beer garden comprised of white shipping containers, a bocce court and rooftop garden."

Also featured are Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, Devine Gelateria, Bottle & Barlow, Temple Coffee and Hook & Ladder.

This is the second time in recent months that Sacramento has been featured by a SF-focused publication.

Read the entire story on 7x7.

More News:

Alcoholic boba tea now for sale at Lazi Cow in Davis - If you’ve ever wished you could get drunk on tapioca milk tea, get ready to find fulfillment in Davis. Lazi Cow (407 G Street) shut down for a few months this spring for a major remodel. The boba shop held its grand re-opening in June with cow print walls, a large cow sculpture that doubles as a bench, a swing—why not? Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

Get ready for more doughnut ice cream sandwiches - The Parlor built a following -- so much, in fact, that this week the owners confirmed a Roseville location is in the works. It will be at 1490 Eureka Road, in the Eureka Ridge shopping center, and is scheduled to open in late July or early August. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Roseville tapioca shop closes - Fans of Tapioca Express in Roseville will have to get their fix elsewhere. A sign outside the store at 1132 Galleria Blvd. says it's "closing indefinitely" Thursday. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Dining review: In Roseville, ASR’s food does not match its ambition - Roseville’s ASR Restaurant & Lounge, which measures 11,000 square feet when counting a patio outfitted with cabanas and a VIP section, unfortunately leans more rule than exception. Though admirably thorough – open every day, the restaurant serves lunch, dinner and late-night bites – it falters at the detail level, on such key matters as flavor combinations and consistent service. Carla Meyer in the Sac Bee.

Fish Face kicks off Sacramento's poke trend - Fish Face is chiefly a to-go poke stand, inspired by the shops that dish out raw fish salad by weight in Hawaii. There, you’d stare at pre-made combinations—kimchi octopus, sesami tuna, spicy shrimp—before making a decision. At Fish Face, you build your own salad. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

Continue reading "Dining News: 7x7's 'Modern Guide to Sacramento'" »


Dining News: Iron Horse Tavern Sets Opening Date

  Iron horse tavern 2

Iron Horse Tavern, by the Wong Brothers, owners of Cafeteria 15L and The Mix, will open to the public on June 18, reports Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Among the other details she's unearthed:

  • "The Wong brothers spent more than a year fine-tuning Iron Horse's menu, seeking inspiration from places such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. The end result features options ranging from pizza to paella."
  • "Iron Horse will emphasize "cozy, casual dining" with 15 small-plate options, Mason Wong said. Craft cocktails will be available, and 25 beers will be offered on tap, including local varieties."

Click here to read the entire story in Sac News & Review.

For a video tour, check out Tina Machua on Good Day Sac.

According to the video, menu items include:

  • 2 lb turkey leg, brined for 24 hours, confit and deep fried with flower
  • A 9 option mac & cheese bar, including lobster mac & cheese, pesto mac & cheese and egg and bacon mac & cheese.
  • Red Velvet Ho Ho
  • Loco Moco

But if you want to get a jump on the rest of the public, you can get a taste of their food (and other restaurants near 15th & R such as Dos Coyotes and Roxie Deli BBQ) on Sunday June 14 at a fundraiser for the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento.

Rst

According to its Web site, the Children's Receiving home's mission is to positively impact the lives of children, youth and families affected by abuse, neglect, behavioral health issues and trauma in California.

Click here for tickets.

Iron Horse Tavern will be located at 15th & R, and can be found online at http://www.ironhorsetavern.net/.

* Photo via their Facebook Page.

More News:

First look: Brasserie Capitale serves up a French revelation on K Street - McNamara strikes that balance in the kitchen with a nifty suite of dishes, including supple house-cured salmon (kissed with dill, egg brunoise and laid on a bed of rye crostini and crème fraîche) and petatou (a delicate mashed potato salad containing niçoise olives, thyme and balsamic beneath a seared cap of goat cheese). McNamara's outstanding country pork pâté (crafted over two days of marinating in cognac, white wine, shallots and spices) and his zesty garlic sausage are both made in-house, along with classics like bouillabaisse, coq au vin and cassoulet that are each offered as specials throughout the week. S.T. Vanairsdale in Sactown Mag.

In chefs we trust: Omakase at Kru -  I've been sitting at the bar at Kru for lunch recently for $20 omakase sessions, and the crew does not disappoint...By far, it's one of the biggest bangs for your buck in Sacramento. Garrett McCord in Sac News & Review.

Local food landing at Sacramento airport's Terminal A - Airport spokeswoman Laurie Slothower said the addition of Squeeze Inn, Iron Horse Tavern and Paesanos reflects the positive reaction to local bars and eateries opening in Terminal B a couple years ago. Ben van der Meer in Sac Biz Journal.

Continue reading "Dining News: Iron Horse Tavern Sets Opening Date" »


Dining News: Now Open - Insight Coffee at 16 Powerhouse

 

Good morning, Insight Coffee Roasters & Sun & Soil Juice Company now open at 16 Powerhouse! Updates coming soon on Orchid Thai Restaurant & Bar, Magpie Cafe & apartments above..

Posted by 16 Powerhouse on Thursday, May 7, 2015

Insight Coffee and Sun & Soil Juice Company are now open at 16 Powerhouse, a new development at 16th & P Streets.

Joining the cafe soon will be Magpie Cafe, which will move from its current R Street location several blocks away, and Orchid Thai, the second outpost for a Lincoln-based Thai Restaurant.

Insight's 16 Powerhouse location, which they are calling the Fremont Cafe, is the fourth outpost for the local coffee chain, in addition to their original location at 8th & S, and their Capitol and Pavilions Cafe spots.

Insight Coffee and Magpie Cafe have been hit by protests by the local carpenters union over the labor practices of the developer of 16 Powerhouse. Even though the restaurants had no control over the developer and its contractors, the union continued to protest the small businesses for months.

Insight Coffee's Fremont Cafe will be open initially from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. It is located at 1615 16th St., and can be found online at http://www.insightcoffee.com/.

More News:

Roseville business targets beer lovers, farm-to-fork fans - Here are two words that might excite people in the Roseville area: more beer. It will come courtesy of Porters House of Draft, a new bar and grill expected to open by next weekend. The beer-centered business fills about 1,500 square feet at 7456 Foothills Blvd. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Pick a pie: Custom pizza, Federalist Public House - Federalist Public House's menu boasts many specialties, but we recommend the custom option, which features a thin Neopolitan-styled crust with a choice of toppings, starting at $2 each. Rachel Leibrock in Sac News & Review.

Berryessa Brewing finds joy in getting canned - The craft brewery many see as the next big thing is about to take the next big step. Berryessa Brewing is in the final stages of getting its labels approved and will soon begin canning and bottling. Finally. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Continue reading "Dining News: Now Open - Insight Coffee at 16 Powerhouse" »


Dining News: New 21st St. Shoki Ramen House Location to Open in 2 to 4 Weeks

20141231_040331783_iOS

Shoki Ramen House may open its new location on 21st St. in just two weeks, the restaurant's Kathy Ueyama told Cowtown Eats in a Monday morning phone interview, but it could take as long as a month.

Kathy, wife of Shoki's owner and chef Yasushi Ueyama, is a school teacher full time and is pushing to get the restaurant open in two weeks so she can assist with the opening during her spring break.

The restaurant was originally scheduled to open at the new Trails location in the first week of February. Kathy explained that they spent January cleaning the previous 24th Street location to return it to the owner, and later visiting family added delays. They started working on the new 21st street in mid-February.

20141231_041801000_iOSPicture taken on their last day of business at Shoki's former 24th St. location.

As for the exterior of the building, they "don't plan on painting the outside," said Kathy, but do plan to do touch ups as necessary.

The couple are still also working to get their liquor license squared away.

The Sac Bee's Blair Anthony Robertson also reports that Shoki plans on adding Ruhstaller Beer on draft at both their R Street and 21st Street locations.

When it opens, Shoki Ramen House will be located at 2530 21st St., and can be found online at http://shokiramenhouse.com/.

More News:

Two upcoming Sacramento restaurants are hiring - The hiring process is underway at Empress Tavern and Iron Horse Tavern, two anticipated additions to the Sacramento restaurant scene. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Business partners consider board game cafe in midtown - If you're a gamer who got excited when Save Point Tavern signed a lease, and got just as giddy when Coin-Op Game Room announced its time frame for opening, get ready to gain a new level of euphoria. A third gamer-related venue is considering entering the Sacramento region. Local business partners David Gomez and Nuray Singh are gauging public interest in a board game cafe they'd like to open in midtown Sacramento. They've posted a public survey to help fine-tune their business plan. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Everything you need to know about Sac’s new Cambodian restaurant - There’s a new Cambodian restaurant open in Sacramento. Or, maybe, it’s opening soon. It’s called Taste of Angkor, it’s located at 4566 Mack Road, and it still had a “coming soon” sign draped above the door when we went on Saturday night. We talked to the owner on the phone, and it’s the family’s first restaurant. The grand opening, according to a waiter we talked to on Saturday night, is tentatively set for Friday, March 20. Jonathan Mendick in Sac News & Review.

Soup's On - Soothing, filling and often cheap, soup is always a hot Dollar-Wise topic, one we’ve dipped our ladle into several times through the years. This time, the challenge was to avoid those I’ve previously written about—anything from much-revered La Bonne Soupe, for instance, or Star Ginger’s spectacular spicy Thai chicken soup (a personal favorite)—and find a few new ones. I didn’t include pho, and I limited my selections to bowls* (not cups) for $5 and under. Here’s the lowdown. Featuring Cafe Bernardo, Mirabelle Cafe, Muntean's Soups, Petra Greek & Taj Oven. Cathy Cassinos-Carr in Sac Mag.

Continue reading "Dining News: New 21st St. Shoki Ramen House Location to Open in 2 to 4 Weeks" »